Cylindrical microphone having an electret assembly in the end cover

Abstract

A microphone includes a separate end cover with a sound port. A diaphragm is directly attached to the end cover. The backplate is positioned within the housing against a ridge near an end of the housing. A spacer is positioned against the backplate. The diaphragm engages the spacer when the end cover, with its attached diaphragm, is installed in the housing. The backplate of the microphone has an integral connecting wire that is made of the same material as the backplate. The integral connecting wire may have an inherent spring force to provide a pressure contact with the accompanying electrical components. The integral connecting wire electrically couples the backplate to the electronic components within the housing and transmits the raw audio signal corresponding to movement of the diaphragm. The housing may have first and second ridges on which the printed circuit board and the electret assembly are mounted, respectively.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60 / 301,736, filed Jun. 28, 2001, and 60 / 284,741, filed Apr. 18, 2001.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to a miniature microphone with a housing that may have a generally cylindrical shape and includes a backplate with an integral connecting portion that connects to the electronics within the microphone. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] A conventional hearing aid or listening device includes a miniature microphone that receives acoustic sound waves and converts the acoustic sound waves to an audio signal. That audio signal is then processed (e.g., amplified) and sent to the receiver of the hearing aid or listening device. The receiver then converts the processed signal to an acoustic signal that is broadcast toward the eardrum. [0004] Because it is desirable to make the receiver and microphone as small as possible so that they fit easily within ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a microphone with a separate end cover and a diaphragm that moves in response to sound. The microphone has a backplate with an integral connecting wire that electrically couples to the electronic components within the housing. The housing has ridges for mounting the microphone in an external structure. The microphone also has a flexible backplate to make it more insensitive to vibration. The technical effects of the invention include improved sensitivity, reduced noise, and improved stability of the microphone.

Problems solved by technology

This square shape does not, however, result in an optimal use of space, and a larger volume is needed for the transducer.

While these cylindrical microphones may reduce the size, they often do so at the expense of performance or manufacturability.

For example, the diaphragm may be too small, which decreases sensitivity, or the backplate may not be as proportionately large as the diaphragm, leading to an increase in parasitic capacitance.

Furthermore, the positioning and mounting of the components within the cylindrical housing can be quite difficult.

Additionally, it is often difficult to make an electrical connection between the transducing assembly and the electronics within the microphone.

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